Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology

International Clinical Trials day takes place on the 20th May each year to honour the day James Lind began the first clinical trials with control groups. The trial involved 12 people who were given different dietary supplements to see the effect of their diets on scurvy. Clinical trials are used to test new drugs and

The BioIndustry Association (BIA) has published a number of initiatives that they claim would rank the UK among the three largest biotech clusters in the world, and could create between 30,000 and 60,000 additional UK jobs. In addition to the increase jobs, the main objectives of the 10-year plan include a fourfold increase in the

Pfizer have announced positive Phase III clinical trial results for their JAK inhibitor, Xeljanz (tofacitinib). The results from data taken from two Phase III clinical trials provide additional support for the drug’s use to treat moderate to severe psoriasis. Pfizer commented that the results from the trials show that both tofacitinib 10mg and 5mg tablets

Japan’s Sosei have announced today that they have acquired Heptares Therapeutics, a UK based biotechnology company, in a deal that could be worth up to $400 million. Heptares Therapeutics specialises in creating medicines targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Sosei have agreed to pay $180 million of that upfront to gain access to Heptares’ GPCRs, a

Johnson & Johnson and Vectura have announced a new partnership to develop anti-inflammatory therapies for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Vectura, who are respiratory specialists, confirmed that the collaboration will primarily focus on a Phase II treatment, but may also include additional clinical-stage candidates.

Bayer HealthCare has confirmed that they have begun a Phase II clinical trial of riociguat for the treatment of diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). Systemic sclerosis is a rare multisystem, autoimmune disease that results in the overproduction and abnormal growth of collagen, which causes fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. dcSSc is one of

The European Commission yesterday announced a new initiative with the European pharmaceutical industry for proposals under the Innovative Medicines Initiative to boost European research into Ebola. The Innovative Medicines Initiative aims to improve healthcare by quickening the development of, and patient access to, innovative medicines, principally in areas where there is an unmet need for

Roche has today announced new plans to spend 3 billion Swiss francs on upgrading and constructing new labs in Basel, Switzerland. Roche have put the plans forward to invest in creating modern, sustainable workplaces for their employees based in their site in Basel, Switzerland, creating new state-of-the-art offices. The plans include the construction of a

The Clinical Professionals Group is renowned for its innovation and added value services to the Life Sciences industry and is delighted to announce the launch of its unique Life Sciences Graduate Academy. With staff turnover in some core roles in clinical drug development running at 29% attrition and escalating, Clinical Professionals wanted to take a